Madrid Hotels near Puerta del Sol

The origins of Puerta del Sol date all the way back to the 15th century, as medieval Madrid began to take shape. Throughout the evolution of the city in subsequent eras, the square was a pre-eminent focal point. Madrileños still gather in Puerta del Sol to this day, most notably on New Year’s Eve for the famous Twelve Grapes ceremony. Pre-eminent and familiar landmarks in the vicinity of the square include the giant Tio Pepe advertisement, Palacio Real and Atocha railway station. A host of department stores, hotels, restaurants and bars surround Puerta del Sol as well.

Vitals and Tips

Puerta del Sol is accessible via three lines of the Madrid Metro system.

The Twelve Grapes ceremony has been a Puerta del Sol tradition since 1909. Madrileños who take part in the ritual eat one grape per second, twelve seconds prior to midnight on New Year’s Eve, in time with Puerta del Sol’s landmark clock tower.